Cincinnati Reds: 4 possible trade packages for Sonny Gray

1. The Reds get their shortstop.

The Cincinnati Reds are in desperate need of a shortstop heading into the 2021 season. Freddy Galvis didn’t pan out as expected, José García still needs some more seasoning in the minors, and Kyle Farmer is currently the team’s best shortstop. San Diego Padres’ infielder Jake Cronenworth finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and would fill the void at shortstop.

This seems like a perfect match for two teams that have done some blockbuster deals in the past. Prior to the 2012 season, the Reds emptied the farm in order to make a deal for right-hander Mat Latos. Cincinnati sent Yasmani Grandal, Yonder Alonso, and others out west. Most recently, San Diego was part of a three-team deal with Cincinnati that brought Trevor Bauer to the Queen City.

In this proposed deal, Cincinnati would send Gray and former second-round pick Rece Hinds to San Diego in exchange for infielder Jake Cronenoworth and left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers. Hinds was the Reds second-round selection in 2019 and has plus, plus power but there is concern about the third base prospect’s ability to recognize pitches.

Adding Cronenworth, who hit .285/.354/.477 in 2020 would be an immediate upgrade at shortstop and net the Reds a player who’d be under team control through the 2025 season. Ryan Weathers, the son of former Cincinnati pitcher David Weathers, made his big league debut last season during the Padres’ Wild Card Round versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.